Device for making an object and a method for making an object

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a device ( 100 ) for making an object. The device ( 100 ) comprises a vessel ( 44 ) for receiving a radiation hardenable material ( 42 ). The device ( 100 ) comprises a fabrication platform assembly ( 7 ) comprising a fabrication platform ( 8 ) and having a first mode in which an orientation of the fabrication platform ( 8 ) is adjustable and a second mode in which the orientation of the fabrication platform ( 8 ) is fixed, and configured for positioning at the vessel ( 44 ) in the second mode to form a layer of the radiation hardenable material when so received between the fabrication platform ( 8 ) and a wall ( 46 ) of the vessel ( 44 ). The device ( 100 ) comprises a radiation source ( 48 ) arranged to illuminate the layer of radiation hardenable material when so formed to form one of a plurality of layers of the object. The device ( 100 ) comprises a guide ( 28 ) configured to receive the fabrication platform assembly ( 7 ) in the first mode and orientate the fabrication platform ( 8 ) when so received with respect to the guide ( 28 ). Also disclosed herein is a method for making an object.

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

Disclosed herein is a device for making an object and a method formaking an object.

BACKGROUND

A three dimensional object can be built up one section at a time, thatis layerwise. A planar layer of material is solidified in contact withthe fabrication platform in the shape of a section through the object.Solidification is achieved by the application of radiation, such aselectromagnetic radiation or an electron beam (“actinic radiation”).Once the section is formed, another is formed in contact with thepreviously formed section. Repetition of this process allowsmulti-laminate objects to be fabricated. This is the basis of additivefabrication techniques such as stereolithography andselective-laser-sintering.

The process requires the shaping member and the fabrication platform tobe parallel and a known distance from each other. This ensures thatlayers of raw material, particularly the first several layers used toform an object, are of even thickness and not wedge shaped. Overly thicklayers, or wedge shaped layers, may be too thick in some parts to curethroughout. Uncured layers may not attach to the fabrication platform.This may cause the fabrication process to fail.

The process also requires the shaping member and fabrication platform tobe aligned to the apparatus, in particular, the radiation source. Thisensures that layers of raw material are formed at the focal plane of theradiation source. Out-of-focus projection of the radiation sourceresults in loss of fabrication tolerances and may cause the process tofail.

Known approaches to the alignment of critical components rely ondial-indicator tools or feeler gauges to measure spacing at severalpoints. Known approaches may be iterative and error prone.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a device for making an object. The device comprisesa vessel for receiving a radiation hardenable material. The devicecomprises a fabrication platform assembly comprising a fabricationplatform and having a first mode in which an orientation of thefabrication platform is adjustable and a second mode in which theorientation of the fabrication platform is fixed, and configured forpositioning at the vessel in the second mode to form a layer of theradiation hardenable material when so received between the fabricationplatform and a wall of the vessel. The device comprises a radiationsource arranged to illuminate the layer of radiation hardenable materialwhen so formed to form one of a plurality of layers of the object. Thedevice comprises a guide configured to receive the fabrication platformassembly in the first mode and orientate the fabrication platform whenso received with respect to the guide.

The guide may generally correct misalignment of the fabrication platformthat may otherwise result in a misshaped object. Even sub degreerotational misalignments can result in substantially uneven or partiallyhardened layers in embodiments, especially where each of the pluralityof layers is thin.

In an embodiment, the guide is configured to receive the fabricationplatform in the first mode and orientate the fabrication platform whenso received such that the fabrication platform is parallel with the wallof the vessel when so positioned at the vessel.

Orientating the fabrication platform to be parallel with the wall of thevessel may increase the uniformity of each of the plurality of layers,which may result in a quality object being made.

In an embodiment, the fabrication assembly comprises a fastener having afastened state and an unfastened state. The fabrication platformassembly may be in the first mode when the fastener is in one of thefastened and unfastened states, and the fabrication assembly may be inthe second mode when the fastener is in the other one of the fastenedand unfastened states. The fastener may comprise at least one of ascrew, a clamp and a clip. The fabrication platform may be movable aboutthe fastener when the fastener is in the one of the fastened andunfastened states. The fastener may be a motorised fastener. The devicemay comprise an actuator arranged to position the platform assembly atone of the vessel and the guide. The device may comprise a controllerarranged to coordinate operation of the motorised fastener and actuator.

In an embodiment, the orientation of fabrication platform is not alteredby switching between the first mode and the second mode.

In an embodiment, the device comprises a biasing member arranged to biasthe fabrication platform towards the guide.

In an embodiment, the device may be arranged for the guide to be belowthe fabrication platform and the fabrication platform is gravity biasedtowards the guide.

In an embodiment, the device may be arranged for removal of the vesselfrom a vessel receiver and the guide to be received by the vesselreceiver.

In an embodiment, the guide comprises a planar surface for receiving thefabrication platform assembly in the first mode.

In an embodiment, the guide comprises a plate. The plate may beremovable.

In an embodiment, the guide comprises the wall of the vessel.

An embodiment comprises a material shaping assembly comprising amaterial shaping member, and having a mode in which an orientation ofthe material shaping member is adjustable, and another mode in which theorientation of the material shaping member is fixed, the materialshaping assembly being movable with the material shaping member incontact with the wall of the vessel while being in the mode in which theorientation of the material shaping member is fixed to shape the layerof radiation hardenable material, and the material shaping assembly iscontactable with the guide while in the mode in which the orientation ofthe material shaping member is adjustable to orientate the materialshaping member.

Orientating the material shaping member may correct misalignment of thematerial shaping member. Non uniform layers of radiation hardenablematerial may be avoided.

In an embodiment, the material shaping assembly is contactable with theguide while in the mode in which the orientation of the material shapingmember is adjustable to cause the material shaping member to be parallelwith the wall of the vessel. The controller may be arranged tocoordinate operation of the motorised fastener, the actuator and thematerial shaping assembly.

In an embodiment, the wall of the vessel may be one of a bottom of thevessel, a side wall of the vessel, and a top wall of the vessel.

Disclosed herein is a method for making an object. The method comprisesthe step of putting a fabrication platform assembly in a first mode inwhich a fabrication platform of the fabrication platform assembly has anadjustable orientation. The method comprises the step of a guidereceiving the fabrication platform assembly while in the first mode toorientate the fabrication platform with respect to the guide. The methodcomprises the step of putting the fabrication platform assembly in asecond mode in which the orientation of the fabrication platform isfixed. The method comprises the step of positioning the fabricationplatform assembly while in the second mode at a vessel containing aradiation hardenable material to form a layer of the radiationhardenable material between the fabrication platform and a wall of thevessel. The method comprises the step of illuminating the layer ofradiation hardenable material with radiation to form one of a pluralityof layers of the object.

An embodiment comprises repeating the steps of the method to form eachof the plurality of layers of the object.

In an embodiment, the step of a guide receiving the fabrication platformassembly in the first mode to orientate the fabrication platform withrespect to the guide comprises the guide orientating the fabricationplatform to be parallel with the wall of the vessel when the fabricationplatform assembly is at the vessel.

In an embodiment, the fabrication assembly comprises a fastener and themethod comprises the step of changing the fastener between a fastenedstate and an unfastened state, wherein the fabrication platform assemblyis in the first mode when the fastener is on one of the fastened andunfastened states, and the fabrication assembly is in the second modewhen the fastener is in the other one of the fastened and unfastenedstates.

An embodiment comprises the step of moving the fabrication platformabout the fastener when the fastener is in the one of the fastened andunfastened states.

The fastener may be a motorised fastener and the method may comprise thestep of operating the motorised fastener to change the state of themotorised fastener between the fastened state and the unfastened state.

An embodiment comprises the step of biasing the fabrication platformtowards the guide.

An embodiment comprises the step of gravity biasing the fabricationplatform towards the guide.

An embodiment comprises the step of replacing the guide with the vesselcontaining radiation hardenable material.

In an embodiment, the guide comprises a plate. The plate may beremovable.

In an embodiment, the guide comprises the wall of the vessel.

An embodiment comprises the steps of:

-   -   putting a material shaping assembly in a mode in which the        orientation of a material shaping member of the material shaping        assembly is adjustable;    -   contacting the material shaping assembly with a guide while in        the mode in which the orientation of the material shaping member        is adjustable to orientate the material shaping member; and    -   moving the material shaping assembly with the material shaping        member in contact with the wall of the vessel while in the mode        in which the orientation of the material shaping member is fixed        to shape the layer of radiation hardenable material.

Contacting the material shaping assembly with the guide while in themode in which the orientation of the material shaping assembly isadjustable may cause the material shaping member to be parallel with thewall of the vessel.

In an embodiment, the wall of the vessel may be one of a bottom of thevessel, a side wall of the vessel, and a top wall of the vessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to achieve a better understanding of a device for making anobject and a method of making an object, embodiments will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingfigures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic elevation view of an embodiment of device formaking an object.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of an example bracket and an exampleplatform at which an object is made, from the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 to 9 show schematic elevation views of the device of FIG. 1 indifferent stages of the calibration process.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic elevation view of an example material shaperapparatus of a device of FIG. 1 comprising a mechanism for calibratingthe orientation of the material shaper.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic plan view of the material shaper apparatus ofFIG. 10.

FIGS. 12 to 16 show schematic elevation views of the material shaperapparatus of FIG. 10 at different stages of the calibration process.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic elevation view of an embodiment of a devicefor making an object comprising an alternative mechanism for calibratingthe orientation of the fabrication platform.

FIG. 18 shows a flow diagrams for an embodiment of a method for makingan object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of device for making an object layerwise,the device being generally indicated by the numeral 100. The device maybe described as a stereolithography device. Coordinate axes are shown inthe figure where x and y are horizontally orientated and z is verticallyorientated. Another embodiment may have another orientation, however.The device 100 exhibits a mechanism for orienting certain components.

The device 100 fabricates objects by an inverted stereolithographyprocess using layerwise deposition. The device has a controller 11,having a processor 13, that is configured to receive instructions formaking the object. The instructions are in the form of data indicating aplurality of object layers to be sequentially formed by the device. Theplurality of object layers are individually determined at, for example,a personal computer running suitabel software. For example, theperimeter of each of the plurality of object layers may be individuallydetermined. One individually determined layer may differ from another ofthe layers by, for example, the shape of their respective boundaries.

The device 100 comprises a chassis 2 with feet 24,26 for mounting thedevice on a surface, such as the floor or a bench-top. It comprises anactuator in the form of a linear stage 4 for moving a bracket 6 alongthe z-axis. At the bracket 6 is mounted a fabrication platform 8 atwhich objects are fabricated. The bracket 6 and the fabrication platform8 are parts of a fabrication platform assembly 7. The object may befabricated from a radiation hardenable material in the form of a resin42 contained in a vessel 44. A radiation source in the form of aradiation projector 48, such as a multimedia projector or laser scanningdevice, projects radiation 49 at a wall of the vessel, in this but notnecessarily in all embodiment the underside 46 of the vessel 44, thebottom 46 being transparent to the radiation. In alternativeembodiments, the radiation may be projected at a side wall of the vesselin which case the object is built up with vertically orientated layers,or the vessel sealed and the radiation projected at a top wall of thevessel. The component parts of the apparatus may be suitably arranged toachieve this.

The resin is, in this embodiment, an actinic radiation hardenable resinin the form of a photocurable resin. The radiation is, in thisembodiment, an actinic radiation in the form of ultraviolet light.Example wavelengths of suitable light include 355 nm and 405 nm. Theradiation is projected selectively to harden layers of the photocurableresin 42 in the shape of sections of the object being fabricated. Thehardened layers attach to the fabrication platform 8. After each layeris hardened, the linear stage 4 moves away from the vessel 44 toseparate it from the upper surface of the transparent bottom 46. Thelinear stage 4 then positions the platform 8 proximal to the vesselbottom 46 again ready for the next layer to be hardened. The controlleris configured to coordinate the movement of the linear stage and theradiation projector 48 such that the plurality of layers of hardenedmaterial are formed sequentially in accordance with the receivedinstructions.

The linear stage 4 may comprise, for example, a platform to which thebracket 6 is attached. The platform rides at least one linear rail andis movable along the rails by a motor assembly. The motor assembly maycomprise any one or more of linear motors, drive belts, stepper motors,rack and pinion arrangements, for example, or generally any suitablecomponents arranged to provide actuation.

The vessel 44 is received by a vessel receiver having supports 10,12which define the focal plane of the light engine 48. The bottom of thevessel may comprise a flexible sheet, which in this but not allembodiments has a unitary construction. For example, the flexible sheetmay not be backed by another element. The flexible sheet may be, forexample, a membrane. Alternatively, the sheet may be a composite.Examples of flexible sheet material include mylar (or some otherpolyester film), polycarbonate, or generally any suitable film. Inalternative embodiments, however, the bottom of the vessel may comprisea rigid sheet, for example a glass or plastic sheet, or generally anyother suitable rigid sheet.

FIG. 2 shows a top-down view of the platform 8 and bracket 6. Theplatform 8 is fixed to the bracket 6 via joints 14,16,18,19,20,21. Thejoints 14,16,18,19,20,21 comprise screws 31,32,33,34,35,36,respectively, which anchor into threaded holes in the vertical sidewalls of bracket 6. The screws are inserted via slots (e.g. 37,38) inarms of platform 8.

When the screws 31,32,33,34,35,36 are unfastened, the platform 8 is freeto rotate around axes x and y, and is also free to move in thez-direction.

When the screws 31,32,33,34,35,36 are fastened, the platform is nolonger free to rotate or move and maintains its current position andorientation. The joints are arranged such that the screws provide aclamping force in a direction lateral to the direction of free movementof the unfastened joint (i.e. the clamping force is perpendicular to thelength of the slot).

Alternatives to screws for fastening the joints include clips, clamps(manually operated or motorised), magnets, hydraulic actuators, and airpressure suction cups. Different fasteners may be alternatively used.

The mechanism shown in FIG. 2 contains several joints that may beredundant. For example, joints 16,18,20 may be omitted and still permitrotation about the x and y axes and movement in the z-direction.Redundant joints may provide greater rigidity in the coupling of theplatform 8 to the bracket 6.

The orientation of platform 8 may be calibrated by performing thefollowing steps commencing from the configuration shown in FIG. 3, wherethe vessel 44 of the stereolithography device shown in FIG. 1 has beenremoved.

First, a guide 28, in the form of, for example, a plate of glass oraluminium of known and uniform thickness, is placed on the supports10,12, as shown in FIG. 4.

Second, the vertical linear stage 4 is activated to move the bracket 6and platform 8 into close proximity to the guide 28, as shown in FIG. 5.

Third, the screws 31,32,33,34,35,36 which fix joints 14,16,18,19,20,21in position are unfastened, as shown in FIG. 6. This allows the platform8 to come to rest, by the force of gravity or other biasing means (e.g.at least one spring, a body of elastomeric material, or a personpressing the platform etc.), in a position determined by the guide, asshown in FIG. 7.

Fourth, the screws (or clips etc.) 31,32,33,34,35,36 are fastened,securing the platform 8 in its present position and orientation, asindicated in FIG. 8.

Once the screws are fastened, the guide 28 may be removed from theapparatus, as indicated in FIG. 9. It may be necessary to move theplatform upwards by activating the linear stage 4 to allow the guide tobe removed.

As a result of performing the steps described above, the lower surface 9of platform 8 is oriented parallel to the supports 10,12 and is locatedat a known distance from the supports 10,12, the known distance beingequal to the thickness of the guide. The vessel bottom has a uniformthickness, and consequently the lower surface 9 is parallel to thevessel bottom when the vessel is received by the supports.

The steps may be performed in different order to that described above.For example, the third step may be performed before the second step,that is, screws may be unfastened prior to moving the platform towardsthe guide.

In some embodiments the guide may be, for example, a plate with holescut in it, or may take the form of an object with a rim or postsdesigned to selectively contact some parts of the platform 8 and avoidother parts of the platform. This may permit the calibration to beperformed while objects are attached to the platform or vessel in place.Furthermore, the guide may be designed to be inserted against the rim ofthe vessel 44 (such as a plate larger than the vessel) thereby obviatingthe need to remove the vessel to perform the calibration.

Alternatively, the guide may be in the form of a table which may sit ona surface of the stereolithography device (e.g. on surface 39 indicatedin FIG. 3), possibly also over the vessel 44 or adjacent thereto. Suchguides, or combinations of the guides described, may permit greaterconvenience in performing the calibration procedure.

In some embodiments a feature of the device may be used as the guide,for example, a glass window (e.g. located at surface 39 in FIG. 3)through which the radiation 49 passes. In such cases, it may beunnecessary to insert a guide. In some embodiments wherein the bottom ofthe vessel is rigid, for example comprising a glass sheet, the bottom ofthe vessel may serve as the guide 28 in which case the removal of thevessel may be unnecessary for calibration.

Another variant of a mechanism for performing calibrations is shown inFIG. 10. This figure which shows a material shaping assembly 200 of astereolithography device comprising an elongate edge 50 mounted on anactuated platform 52 which moves relative to the chassis 42,44 of thedevice in the y-direction. The actuated platform 52 may be actuated inany suitable manner, including those described in relation to linearstage 4. A material shaping assembly such as this may be used forshaping material between the flexible bottom of the vessel and theobject being made by expelling material from the space therebetween.Shaping the material flattens the bottom of a flexible sheet bottomedvessel which sits on posts 47 and 49 to, for example, ameloriate sagcaused by gravity or fluid pressure. The controller is configured tocoordinate the movement of the linear stage 4 and the actuated platform52.

FIG. 16 shows a top-down view of the material shaping assembly showing alinear stage 68 which actuates the motion of the platform 52 in they-direction. The linear stage 68 may comprise, for example, a platform.The platform may, for example, ride at least one linear rail and ismovable along the rails by a motor assembly. The motor assembly maycomprise any one or more of linear motors, drive belts, stepper motors,rack and pinion arrangements, for example, or generally any suitablecomponents arranged to provide actuation. The platform and so the subassembly 200 is moved, causing the edge 50 to move along the undersideof flexible sheet forming the bottom of the vessel. This action liftsand shapes the flexible sheet to have it adopt a flat configuration orform while forcing excess photohardenable material 104 out of the gapbetween the previously hardened sections of the object being made andthe flexible sheet.

The elongate edge 50 is fixed by two joints 57,58 to the platform 52.The joints comprise screws 59,60 which screw into threaded holes inplatform 52 via slots 62,64 in brackets of the elongate edge 50. Springs54,56 apply a biasing force to the elongate edge 50 in the positivez-direction.

When screws 59,60 are unfastened, elongate edge 50 is free to rotatearound axis y, and is also free to move in the z-direction, and isbiased towards the positive z-direction due to the force of the springs54,56.

The position of elongate edge 50 may be calibrated level with the topsurface of supports 47,49 by performing the following steps, commencingfrom the configuration shown in FIG. 10.

First, a guide 66, such as a plate of glass or aluminium, is placed onthe supports 47,49, as shown in FIG. 11.

Second, screws (alternatively clips, magnets or other fasteners) 59,60which fix joints 57,58 in position are unfastened, as shown in FIG. 12.This allows the elongate edge 50 to come to rest, by the force providedby springs 54,56 or other means (e.g. a person pressing the elongateedge etc.), against the guide 66, as shown in FIG. 13.

Third, the screws 59,60 are fastened, securing the elongate edge 50 inits present position and orientation, as indicated in FIG. 14. Once thescrews are fastened, the reference plate 66 may be removed from theapparatus, as indicated in FIG. 15.

As a result of performing the steps described above, the surface ofelongate edge 50 is oriented parallel to and located in the same planeas the top surface of the supports 47,49.

Embodiments may be performed with the mechanism depicted in FIG. 17,which shows selected components of a device for making an objectgenerally indicated by 300. In this Figure, components similar in formand/or function to those in FIG. 1 are similarly numbered.

Fabrication platform 23 is attached to bracket 6 via two joints 80,81.Joint 80 comprises a ball-and-socket joint having a ball 25 which fitsinside a respective cavity in the platform 23. It is fastened in placeby a screw 17 via a threaded hole in platform 23. Joint 81 comprises asliding cylindrical pin 21 inserted through a respective cylindricalhole in bracket 6. It is fastened in place by a screw 15 via a threadedhole in bracket 6. In alternative embodiments, the ball-and-socket jointmay be replace with two joints having orthogonal rotational axis.

When screw 17 is unfastened, joint 80 permits rotation of the platform23 about both the x and y axes. When screw 15 is unfastened, joint 81permits movement of platform 23 in the z-direction. Importantly, whenscrews 17 and 15 are fastened, platform 23 maintains its positionrelative to the device. The apparatus thus has the requiredcharacteristics which permit platform 23 to be aligned to the frame ofthe device (e.g. a plane defined by the supports 10,12) using the methoddescribed above in relation to the first embodiment.

In the embodiments described above, the calibration procedure may beautomated by replacing joint fastenings with motorised fasteners, forexample, motorised screw threads, fasteners operated by hydrauliccylinders, electromagnets or the like. Such motorised fasteners may becontrolled by a controller. The controller 11 may have a logic device13, for example, a microcontroller in the form of an ARM6 processor, afield programmable gate array, application specific integrated circuit,or other logic device that may be programmed with suitable software. Theoperation of the motorised fasteners may be coordinated by thecontroller with the operation of the other functions of the device, forexample the upward and downward movement of the fabrication platformassembly by actuator 4, and the movement of the material shapingassembly 200.

It is understood that the platforms described above at which objects aremade may be in orientations other than those shown, being, for example,inverted or mounted on a wall.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments may have some of thefollowing advantages:

-   -   1. Critical features of devices for making objects can be        oriented and aligned to the chassis of the device, which may        improve the uniformity of the formed layers.    -   2. The orientation and alignment requires only the unfastening        and fastening of joint fixtures of the apparatus, and not        special measurement tools.    -   3. Different embodiments of the apparatus permit both planar        surfaces and elongate edges to be aligned to the chassis of the        device.    -   4. The process may be automated to enable calibration to be        performed without the need for human intervention.

It will be appreciated that numerous variations and/or modifications maybe made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodimentsare, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, exceptwhere the context requires otherwise due to express language ornecessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as“comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. tospecify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that thepublication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, inAustralia or any other country.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device for making an object, the devicecomprising: a vessel comprising a wall for receiving a radiationhardenable material; a guide; a fabrication platform assembly comprisinga fabrication platform attached by at least one joint and at least onefastener operationally coupled to the fabrication platform, the at leastone fastener having an unfastened state in which the at least one jointis movable to pivot the fabrication platform about each of twoorthogonal axes parallel to the wall into parallel alignment with thewall by a reaction force generatable by the fabrication platformcontacting the guide, and the at least one fastener having a fastenedstate wherein the at least one joint is immobilized, the fabricationplatform assembly being configured for positioning at the wall when theat least one fastener is in the fastened state to form a layer of theradiation hardenable material when so received between the fabricationplatform and the wall; a radiation source arranged to illuminate thelayer of radiation hardenable material when so formed to form one of aplurality of layers of the object.
 2. A device defined by claim 1wherein the guide is configured to receive the fabrication platform andangularly align the fabrication platform when so received such that thefabrication platform is parallel with the wall when so positioned at thevessel.
 3. A device defined by claim 1 wherein the at least one fastenercomprises at least one of a screw, a clip, a clamp, a magnet, ahydraulic actuator, an air pressure suction cup, and an electromagnet.4. A device defined by claim 3 wherein the at least one fastenercomprises at least one motorised fastener.
 5. A device defined by claim4 comprising an actuator arranged to position the platform assembly atone of the vessel and the guide, and a controller arranged to coordinateoperation of the at least one motorised fastener and the actuator.
 6. Adevice defined by claim 1 wherein the orientation of the fabricationplatform is not altered by switching the at least one fastener betweenthe fastened state and the unfastened state.
 7. A device defined byclaim 1 arranged for removal of the vessel from a vessel receiver,wherein the guide is receivable by the vessel receiver.
 8. A devicedefined by claim 1 wherein the guide comprises a removable plate.
 9. Adevice defined by claim 1 wherein the guide comprises the wall.
 10. Adevice defined by claim 1 further comprising a material shaping assemblycomprising a material shaping member, and having a configuration inwhich an orientation of the material shaping member is adjustable, andanother configuration in which the orientation of the material shapingmember is fixed, the material shaping assembly being movable with thematerial shaping member in contact with the wall of the vessel whilebeing in the configuration in which the orientation of the materialshaping member is fixed to shape the layer of radiation hardenablematerial, and the material shaping assembly is contactable with theguide while in the configuration in which the orientation of thematerial shaping member is adjustable to orientate the material shapingmember.
 11. A method for making an object, the method comprising thesteps of: disposing a radiation hardenable material within a vesselcomprising a wall; placing at least one fastener in a fastened state inan unfastened state, the at least one fastener being operationallycoupled to a fabrication platform attached by at least one joint to afabrication platform assembly, wherein the at least joint is mobilisedwith the at least one fastener in the unfastened state such that thefabrication platform is pivotable about each of two orthogonal axesparallel to the wall; generating a reaction force by contacting thefabrication platform with a guide to pivot the fabrication platformabout each of the two orthogonal axes parallel to the wall into parallelalignment with the wall; placing the at least one fastener in thefastened state wherein the at least one joint is immobilised;positioning the fabrication assembly at the wall to form a layer of theradiation hardenable material between the fabrication platform and thewall; and illuminating the layer of radiation hardenable material toform one of a plurality of layers of the object.
 12. A method defined byclaim 11 comprising forming the remainder of the plurality of layers ofthe object.
 13. A method defined by claim 11 wherein the at least onefastener is a motorised fastener and comprising the step of operatingthe at least one motorised fastener to change the state of the at leastone motorised fastener between the fastened state and the unfastenedstate.
 14. A method defined by claim 11 comprising the step of replacingthe guide with the vessel containing radiation hardenable material. 15.A method defined by claim 11 wherein the guide comprises a removableplate.
 16. A method defined by claim 11 wherein the guide comprises thewall of the vessel.
 17. A method defined by claim 11 comprising thesteps of: putting a material shaping assembly in a mode in which theorientation of a material shaping member of the material shapingassembly is adjustable; contacting the material shaping assembly with aguide while in the mode in which the orientation of the material shapingmember is adjustable to orientate the material shaping member; andmoving the material shaping assembly with the material shaping member incontact with the wall of the vessel while in the mode in which theorientation of the material shaping member is fixed to shape the layerof radiation hardenable material.